Apps: Project X, VPN Tracker, Snard

• Project X 1.1.1 ($200) enhances the project management utility and fixes a number of bugs. Project X 1.1.1 expands the media abilities of the Network view to the Outline and Timeline view with the use of media tags on tasks, and is faster overall alongside improved printing. The software enables users to create and edit projects graphically with one-click updates and the potential to embed media files directly into tasks. [Download - 928KB]


• A Better Finder Rename 7.8 ($20) updates the file renaming software, adding a number of text removal actions and delivering a new iteration of the preferences pane. A Better Finder Rename provides a detachable and fully resizable instant preview window with drag-and-drop support. [Download - 1.9MB]


• MBS REALbasic plug-ins 7.3 ($28 per portion) is a collection of several plug-in parts that extend the REALbasic development environment with more than 600 classes and two controls featuring over 14,000 documented functions. The latest release includes a rewritten CoreImage for better integration with REALbasic, and splits the plug-in so users can purchase licenses in parts.


• VPN Tracker 4.9.2 ($90 for Personal, $200 for Professional) adds support for the DFL-200 firewall from D-Link as well as SonicWALLs' TotalSecure firewalls (models: TZ 180, TV180, TZ180 Wireless, TZ190 and TZ 190 Wireless) to the VPN client for Mac. VPN Tracker 4.9.2 allows safe data transfer between a Mac and a company network, encrypting all unsecure internet and AirPort connections. [Download - form]


• Snard 2.5.2 ($10) is a specialty launcher program that is usable as a system menu or as a hot key activated popup menu. Snard opens applications as root, offers flexible menu access, and performs searches locally or over the internet using Sherlock. The update fixes a bug with alias handling. [Download - 1.7MB]


• PageSender 4.0.1 ($40) is a free update for registered users of PageSender 4, enhancing the fax software with an Address Book panel that works in Carbon applications. THe latest release also offers live addressing in Carbon software, includes returns in cover page messages, and enables users to create new recipients by clicking in the address list. [Download - 6.6MB]

Asset Trustee 8.0 improves reporting

FileWave has released Asset Trustee 8.0, a cross-platform application designed for collecting and managing hardware as well as software assets across networks. Trustee records inventory, and helps with financial as well as technical analysis while managing mass updates and compliance with site licenses. The software produces automated software usage reports, and enhances reporting options in general. The software also offers new device discovery capability, an improved user interface, and a new visual style. Trustee 8.0 is a Universal Binary requiring Mac OS X 10.2 or higher, with pricing available upon request.

Phlink 3.3.1 fixes fax-related bug

Ovolab has released Phlink 3.3.1, an update to its telephony software for Mac OS X that fixes a bug which could prevent receiving faxes through FAXstf Pro. Phlink features call snooping, advanced multiple voice mailbox features, and remote control of Elgato's EyeTV. When call snooping is active, Phlink records all the conversations that take place on the phone line, regardless of whether Phlink has answered the phone or not. The new Voice Mailbox Setup wizard can create an unlimited number of voice mailboxes that allows users to record their own greeting and choose which email address to forward the voicemail messages to. Phlink is priced at $150, and requires Mac OS X 10.3 or later.

LightZone 3.0 offers "intelligent styles"...

LightCrafts has released LightZone 3.0, the latest version of its photo-editing package aimed at rapid stylizing and presentation. The new release includes a new function dubbed "intelligent styles" that offers instant application of filters as well as other modifications to create one-click photo representations, and in a shot across the bow at rival Adobe, the developer of LightZone says that Photoshop has managed less than 4 percent market penetration among SLR photographers. The software author also noted that "after 20 years of Photoshop development, fundamental capabilities such as native RAW editing, integrated noise reduction and operational layers are still missing." The software is priced at $250, and requires Mac OS X 10.4.3 or later.

Proxifier brings proxies to any network app

Initex Software has released Proxifier for Mac OS X, an application that allows network applications which do not support working through proxy servers to operate through an HTTP or SOCKS proxy server or a chain of proxy servers. Proxifier tunnels all connections on a system or for separate applications without special configuration, and enables users to access the internet from restricted local area networks through proxy gateways. The software bypasses firewall restrictions that prevent connections to restricted ports, and resolves DNS names while hiding each users' IP address. The latest release adds a help system, enables users to choose a Proxifier destination folder with the installation wizard, and works from non-standard locations outside the Applications folder. Proxifier is priced at $40, and requires Mac OS X 10.4 or later.

Eizo intros 24-inch LCD with dual HDMI...

Eizo today unveiled a trio of large LCDs targeting both the home and business crowds. Headlining the collection is the HD2451W. Reflected in its name, the 24-inch display focuses on receiving HD content: the screen is one of the first for computers that ships with dual HDMI inputs, allowing multiple sources such as HD DVD players or game consoles to connect and display at a native 1080p. Other sources can attach through a DVI port with HDCP encryption as well as VGA, RCA, and S-video. The display can de-interlace 1080i images while maintaining a contrast ratio as high as 3,000:1, Eizo says. Static contrast is measured at 1,000:1. Response times are said to be quick, averaging 6ms but never venturing beyond 16ms.

Analyst: iPod sales 9.5m, Mac share gains...

Apple is on track to sell 9.5 million iPods during its quarter ending in June, according to Piper Jaffray senior analyst Gene Munster. Despite NPD data suggesting such figures, the analyst is still projecting 10.5 million iPods shipped for the quarter ahead of Street consensus totaling 9.8 million units. The firm maintains an outperform rating on shares of Apple, and is heavily focused on WWDC as a potential driver for revenue in the remainder of 2007. Piper Jaffray holds a $140 price target on Apple shares.

Apple cries foul over adult advertising

Apple has threatened adult retailer Ann Summers with legal action if the company doesn't pull an advertisement for its $60 'iGasm' sex toy. The iGasm is a small vibrator designed to pulse to the time of any track played on an iPod, and the advertisement in question resembles Apple's silhouette iPod ads with an erotic twist: The darkened image of a female clad only in undergarments is shown against a pink background holding a white oval-shaped device, with cords leading to earbuds as well as her underwear. Apple is demanding that Ann Summers remove all posters or face legal action in court, according to Macworld UK, but thus far the adult-oriented store has left its posters in place.

Gefen rolls out HD-SDI/HDMI video scalers...

Gefen today rolled out two new professional quality video scalers offering high-end scaling capability designed for broadcasting professionals testing and integrating audio/video systems. The HD-SDI to HDMI (shown at right) and HDMI to HD-SDI Scalers employ Gennum's VXP GF9351 Image Processor that provides genlock control, as well as proprietary 10-bit motion adaptive video interlacing functionality. The Gefen HDMI to HD-SDI ($1,500) and HD-SDI to HDMI (1,300) Scalers each ship with an IR remote and RS-232 ports for menu control and selection. Both Scalers are slated for shipment in June.

Apps: Horizon, Downfall, CDFinder, MailTank

• Entourage Email Archive X 3.3.0 ($30) is a utility for archiving emails and attachments received or sent using Microsoft Entourage on Mac OS X systems. The latest release works with Mac OS X 10.4 Tiger as well as Entourage 2004, and all updates are availbale for free for registered 3.x users. The update adds support for UTF-8 when users choose to export as text and tab-text files. [Download - 1.9MB]


• Horizon 1.1 ($30) is a unique calendar-based personal financial management system. The software combines a calendar-based interface with a calculation engine to provide a clear and simple picture of where money comes from and where it goes. The latest release adds a toolbar, and brings calendar navigation to either side of the current month and year. [Download - 2.1MB]


• Downfall 2.7 ($20) updates the 3D falling blocks game, adding a new font with improved mouse support. The latest release enables players to customize in-game controls -- namely the keyboard and mouse, adds new options, and includes improved license key input. Players can also set the game speed option in the pre-game help. [Download - 1.4MB]


• CDFinder 5.0 ($40) helps users organize disk and data archives, tracking digital media assets such as CDs and network volumes. The update runs natively on Intel-based Macs as a Universal Binary, and imports eight catalog formats from other applications. CDFinder 5.0 also reads various photo/audio meta data, and offers AppleScript support alongside Spotlight search functionality. [Download - 4.8MB]


• MacFamilyTree 4.4.6 ($50) is an upgrade to the genealogy application that tracks relations in a speedy manner. The latest release includes Google Earth integration to reveal locations from a family tree in Google Earth direectly from within MacFamilyTree, and supports assigning coordinates from one location to other locations with the same name. [Download - 12MB]


• MailTank (from $15/month per login) is a Web-based service allowing users to work as a team to answer customer email from anywhere in the world. The latest revision of MailTank features rich statistical reports to help illustrate performance, adds support tags to help organize messages, includes a new "Redirect" action link to ensure message go where they are intended.

Analyst: MacBook Pros at WWDC, maybe iMacs...

Apple's World Wide Developer's Conference is likely to produce new MacBook Pros alongside the possibility of new iMacs, according to research firm Piper Jaffray, while the company's highly anticipated iPhone will still ship on time in late June despite rampant rumors. Apple is also likely to host a separate event to launch the iPhone, according to Piper Jaffray senior analyst Gene Munster, who says that on average Apple shares have risen 6.3 percent from a week-before to a week-after an Apple event. "While there may be rumors of an iPhone launch at WWDC, we expect Apple will host a separate event in late June to launch the device," said Munster, who notes that Apple has promised to hand out a feature-complete version of its Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard operating system that will reveal how the company intends to integrate Windows operability into the new system software. Piper Jaffray maintains its "Outperform" rating on Apple shares with a price target of $140.

Belkin unveils "My best FM" service

Belkin has unveiled a new tool to help iPod owners locate the best FM radio frequencies to use with FM transmitters on-the-go. The service, titled "My best FM," works only in the U.S. by enabling users to enter a zip code to discover which FM frequencies are the clearest and most suitable for use with devices such as Belkin's TuneBase FM for iPod. "My Best FM" searches a comprehensive database of FM radio frequencies and lists those with the clearest transmissions in the specified area. The service is already available on Belkin's website, and is available for free.

Excalibur: Morgana's Revenge 3.0 released...

ExcaliburWorld Software has released Excalibur: Morgana's Revenge 3.0, a unique scenario that uses the Aleph One game engine to offer vast improvement over previous versions of the first-person action adventure game. The game boasts an epic and in-depth story line, with players taking the role as a Federation Marine resting after a previous mission aboard the exploration class Starship Kronos. "You are re-acquainted with the A.I. Merlin, who introduces you to Kronos time traveling technology, and reveals your new mission: to save mankind from the clutches of Morgana and her minions." Excalibur: Morgana's Revenge 3.0 is available for free as open source software, requiring Mac OS X 10.3 or later.

Analysts call new MacBook Pro, iMac at WWDC...

Apple is likely planning one or more updates to its Mac line that will coincide with its upcoming WWDC event in San Francisco, says a new report from PiperJaffray analyst Gene Munster. The researcher expects at least the MacBook Pro to receive an update at the event, pointing to the unusually long wait for a replacement since the Core 2 Duo upgrade released last October.

"On average the pro-level laptops are updated every 182 days," Munster says. "And the current models were launched 209 days ago."

Boris FX supports Final Cut Studio 2...

Boris FX this week announced that the entire Boris FX product line is available for the new Apple Final Cut Studio 2.0 release. Owners of Boris Continuum Complete 4.1, Boris Red 4.1, Boris FX 9.1, and Boris Graffiti 5.1 can move to Apple Final Cut Pro version 6.0 and begin working immediately. Boris projects and presets are seamlessly transitioned to Apple Final Cut Pro 6.0; RED 4.1 users will need to download the RED 4.1.4 for Final Cut Pro 6 to ensure full compatibility. The new Apple Final Cut Studio 2.0 release improves Boris plug-in integration as well as adds some key updates including support for Boris FX transitions, the company said.